tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627322010786735293.post1727248697839971531..comments2018-02-21T07:40:49.653+01:00Comments on Antipodes: Silly sendup of Sydney by French railwaysWilliam Skyvingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10052367756561555096noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627322010786735293.post-52610543508122331882007-06-19T10:57:00.000+02:002007-06-19T10:57:00.000+02:00On several occasions during my month-long trip to ...On several occasions during my month-long trip to Australia last year, I bumped into small groups of French tourists, and I would often strike up a conversation with such folk. In all cases, they were sympathetic, unobtrusive (quite the opposite of arrogant), well-informed about places to see and things to do, and they seemed to appreciate the free and easy Down Under atmosphere.<BR/><BR/>In the case of this weird SNCF rubbish, I fail to see what purpose it serves. In theory, if I understand correctly, the Cidenet movie is supposed to be a form of advertising. Does the SNCF imagine that this approach is likely to persuade people to buy tickets to the real Sydney? Or is it in fact a second-degree publicity approach aimed at suggesting to young French people that there's no point in going to such a faraway place as Australia? It's certainly simpler to buy a train ticket to an isolated French village. And, once there, residing in an L-and-PD [<I>lit et petit déjeuner</I>], imaginative voyagers can always persuade themselves that they're surrounded by kangaroos and coral reefs. Besides, they don't need an opera house, because they've got their iPods. They don't even need deserts, because the SNCF creators demonstrate that these can be constructed virtually in the brain.William Skyvingtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10052367756561555096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8627322010786735293.post-65222919679863415892007-06-19T02:19:00.000+02:002007-06-19T02:19:00.000+02:00(a) What's it all about?I suppose that you are awa...<I>(a) What's it all about?</I><BR/><BR/>I suppose that you are aware of the fact that French think they are the best – in any domain.<BR/>French consider Aussies as stupid people living somewhere in the desert, drinking beer all day, watching the kangaroos crossing the road. To French eyes, Aussies don’t know anything about culture and have no history.<BR/><BR/><I>(b) Did French railways pay money to get this idiotic stuff produced?</I><BR/><BR/>Oh yes, they do! I listen every day to some stupid adverts on France Inter… They stopped during the election period, but I suppose they will start again in September. Some people complain, because these ads are made with <B>their</B> money !<BR/><BR/><I>(c) Is their low-cost flight offer valid?</I><BR/><BR/>Don’t worry – SNCF low-cost flights (as all their low-cost railway tickets) are subject to conditions. It never works…<BR/><BR/>As you say, this Internet advert is not funny at all.cmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13628012646010636255noreply@blogger.com